Depression decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression and PTSD is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and considering newly submitted evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD and his psychiatric disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA medical opinion to clarify whether the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression, depressive disorder NOS, and adjustment disorder) is etiologically related to the documented in-service notations of apathy and failure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and major depressive disorder, have resulted in a combined rating of 80 percent since March 31, 2010. The Board is remanding to determine if he was unemployable due to these disabilities prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the October 2012 VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depression with possible PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities with nerve damage, and impotence have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, diagnosed as PTSD and major depressive disorder, are found to be related to his in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression has been rated at 50 percent since July 13, 1994. The symptoms include anxiety, depression, sleep impairment, irritability, intrusive thoughts, concentration problems, startle response, memory issues, and occasional violent outbursts, resulting in moderate social and occupational impairment.

The case is being remanded for further development, including determining the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability and if there are supporting stressors for PTSD diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include anxiety and depression, cannot be granted as there is no credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor or any link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The case is being remanded to consider his newly raised claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability from using buproprion and sertraline as a result of VA medical care for depression.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD with major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions are related to her in-service sexual assault.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted as her current diagnosis of PTSD is related to an in-service personal assault.

The Veteran's depression is currently rated at a 30 percent disability evaluation, which approximates the criteria for this rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and depressive disorder was granted, with an effective date of March 2, 2004.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a VA examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

The Veteran's PTSD with associated major depression and alcohol abuse resulted in total occupational and social impairment from April 30, 2010.,A 70 percent rating for PTSD was granted effective April 30, 2009 to April 29, 2010. A 100 percent rating for PTSD is granted effective April 30, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his major depression and insomnia. The claims of service connection for lumbar strain and GERD are also being remanded.